Our Federal Training Expert Instructors

Heather is an education and media professional with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, professional skills training, broadcast news, and public relations. She’s been with Graduate School USA since 2008, as the program manager for the Executive Leadership Program, as well as an instructor and course content developer for the Center for Leadership and Management.

Her education career began with a teaching stint in a Western Kenya high school. After she returned to the States, she earned a Master’s degree in journalism. Heather then built a dual-track career for herself as a television and radio journalist who also taught both high school and university students, focusing on writing, politics, and journalism.

In the early 2000s, Heather stepped aside from her news career to serve as press secretary to the Mayor of Jacksonville and the Special Projects Director for the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee. While holding those positions, she led multiple public relations and media outreach projects to improve the city’s recognition, image, and public hospitality prior to Super Bowl 39.

Heather has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bryn Mawr College and an M.S. in journalism from Boston University.

Ms. Garcia-Durr is a highly respected acquisition expert and retired U.S. Army officer with over 35 years of combined military and federal civilian service in logistics, contingency operations, and acquisition leadership. A former Contingency Contracting Officer, Anna brings operational insight from combat zones, austere environments, and disaster response operations directly into the training environment.

She held senior leadership roles across the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives—managing multi-billion dollar portfolios and overseeing mission-critical procurement in domestic and international settings. She is also a seasoned instructor and mentor, having trained hundreds of acquisition professionals, CORs, and program teams to exceed performance and compliance goals. She equips today’s acquisition professionals with the insight, precision, and mission-driven mindset needed to confidently lead and execute procurements in any acquisition environment.

Anna holds a Juris Master in Corporate Compliance and Contracts and graduate certificates in Contract Management and Program/Project Management. Her certifications include Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), DAWIA Level III (Contracting), and FAC-C / FAC-COR Level III.

Jeff Hysen has been with GSUSA since 2020, teaches numerous classes, and has received several awards for his work. Before joining Graduate School USA, Jeff was an Assistant Regional Counsel with the General Services Administration for 31 years. At GSUSA, Jeff served as the lead counsel on Ethics issues for the National Capital Region and worked on numerous projects across various fields. In addition to his work with GSUSA, Jeff is a podcast host and stand-up comedian.

Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization.

Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives.

A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts.

Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field.

Alan Zucker is a Senior Instructor at the Graduate School, focusing on project management, agile, and leadership. He brings over 25 years of experience working for the Federal Government and Fortune 100 companies to the classroom. Mr. Zucker has led high-visibility strategic initiatives and managed a project execution organization of 175 project professionals.

Mr. Zucker has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP), and a Disciplined Agile Coach from the Project Management Institute. He is also a Scaled Agile (SAFe) Program Consultant, a Certified Scrum Professional with Scrum Alliance, and a Certified Trainer from the Agile Leadership Academy.

Mr. Zucker has delivered thousands of successful projects and played a leadership role in the agile transformation of a Fortune 50 financial services company. He is active in the project management and agile communities. Mr. Zucker is a keynote speaker and is regularly quoted in the industry press. He has authored nearly 150 articles on project management best practices.

Amy is a seasoned leadership expert with over two decades of experience guiding executives through the complexities of senior leadership. She specializes in helping leaders navigate new roles, drive enterprise initiatives, and manage high-stakes change. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Amy has worked with organizations and individuals worldwide, tailoring her approach to diverse organizational cultures. She leverages her expertise to teach leadership concepts, integrate diverse teams, and enhance emotional intelligence, fostering improved performance, communication, and accountability.

Amy’s career spans both public and private sectors, giving her a unique perspective on transformational change and team building. At the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she led diverse teams addressing national security and criminal threats, implemented systemic organizational changes, and served as the first analyst in four senior leadership roles, including Deputy Assistant Director for Intelligence, where she managed a $100 million budget and a team of over 350. In the private sector, she excelled as Managing Director of Aon’s Cyber Solutions Intelligence Practice, leading a global team in cyber investigations and consistently surpassing financial goals.

Amy holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Bradley University, a Master of Arts from George Washington University, and executive education certificates from Harvard Business School and INSEAD. Certified as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation, she utilizes tools like DiSC, Gallup StrengthFinders, and Emotional Intelligence Assessments to help leaders challenge assumptions, leverage strengths, and create actionable plans for lasting success.

Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery.

Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. 

Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. 

Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences.

Carla Smocks is a respected trainer and leadership development expert with over 35 years of federal service, where she led efforts in human capital strategy, performance management, labor and employee relations (LER), and organizational transformation. She has designed and delivered impactful training programs for federal managers and HR professionals, developed leadership initiatives at both regional and national levels, and advised senior executives through high-stakes workforce and culture challenges. Has experience leading negotiations and equipping the negotiation team, as well as developing strategies. A certified mediator and former arbitration advocate, Carla brings deep expertise in workplace conflict resolution, employee engagement, and strategic HR practices. She has served as a trusted advisor to executives, providing just-in-time consulting and insight on complex personnel issues, team dynamics, and change management.

Carla is also an ICF-certified executive coach and a dynamic facilitator known for highly interactive sessions that consistently earn top evaluations. Her work bridges technical depth and human-centered leadership, equipping organizations to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Cindy Morgan-Jaffe is the Founder and CEO of the Positive Money Club, a community for women 50+ that helps them get money fit so that they can live the rich life they envision. She holds a master’s degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and is a certified Life, Professional Recovery, and Positive Intelligence® Master Coach and XChange Facilitator. She is also the author of Positive Money – 7 Principles to Living a Rich Life.

Cindy worked in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors as a facilitator, trainer, and program manager in leadership and career development before focusing on financial wellness and health. She is the proud parent of five and lives in Washington, D.C., where she enjoys art, yoga, and hiking.

Dan Kowalski brings over three decades of HR expertise, primarily from his 33-year career with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). As a line manager for 21 years in large medical centers in the NYC/NJ area, he gained hands-on experience in managing complex HR operations. He also served on the VHA Human Resources Management Group, providing consulting services to senior leadership and representing the VHA on national labor-management and employee survey initiatives. Notably, he was part of a national action research project addressing workplace stress and aggression, designing interventions to improve employee satisfaction and service delivery.

Dan has extensive experience in designing and facilitating training programs for federal agencies, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Energy, and Naval Sea Systems Command. His expertise spans strategic human capital management, workforce planning, internal HR consulting, and supervisory training. He has also developed and delivered courses on HR data utilization, recruiting via social media, and job analysis, using adult action learning principles to foster engagement and practical application. His work has taken him across the U.S. and internationally, providing HR consulting and training to organizations such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Forest Service, and USAID, as well as advising governments in Japan, Indonesia, and Micronesia.

A published author and active member of the Academy of Management, Dan has presented at national and international conferences on organizational development and evidence-based management. He holds a B.A. from Canisius College and an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With a career dedicated to advancing HR practices and leadership development, Dan continues to share his wealth of knowledge as an instructor and consultant.

Dave currently provides advisory and management services to government and private sector organizations. His focus is on the right control systems that make for highly effective management performance. He also serves as an expert witness for several of the largest law firms in the world. He helped recover $3 billion for two clients. He also did work in the Republic of Georgia on the Good Governance Initiative sponsored by USAID.

He retired from the NYS Comptroller’s Office. As the Director of State Audits, he transformed many of the office’s audit functions to a modern, risk-based approach, using the latest audit, data analysis, and data mining techniques to find fraud, waste, and improper transactions. Dave also led a team that transformed an outdated State Expenditures Bureau into a model audit unit that dramatically increased the State’s expenditure audit and payment process’s efficiency and effectiveness.

He is co-author of two books: Government Performance Audit in Action and State (6th Edition) and Local Government, Program Control and Audit: Handbook for Managers and Auditors. He also was a faculty member at Siena College and is currently on the Graduate School, USA’s Goivernment Audit Training Institute.

He is a past regional vice president of the Association of Government Accountants and a past president of the New York Capital Chapter. He was on the Financial Management Standards Board Committee. He is also a past president of the Albany Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors and a past member of the International Government Relations Committee and the Emerging Issues Committee. Dave contributes articles to various professional journals that challenge the traditional audit approaches that have failed to find the frauds in major organizations. He’s listed in Marquis’s Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the East. He is a retired Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Government Financial Manager.

The Association of Government Accountants recognized Dave in 2005 and 2015 as the Educator of the Year, and in 2007 he received the National President’s Award.

Dr. Mac joined the graduate school in 2021 and focuses his efforts in the Management Science Department. He is an independent researcher in the areas of Strategic Communication, Homeland Security, Strategic Studies, Evidence-Based Judgement and Decision-Making Analytics, and Information Literacy. Dr. Mac is a curriculum developer and is a peer reviewer with Marine Corps University Press, where he has published and been referenced in SCOPUS (see link below). He holds a Doctorate in management of complex adaptive systems, a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Business Policy, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

He served 24 Years in the U.S. Army, where, like his father and uncle (a Mountford point Marine and Tuskegee Airmen respectively), he picked up the nickname Mac. He served 13 years in the Army Special Operations with the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. He served on Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (as a team leader and a unit commander, respectively). He also served nine years with the US Department of Homeland Security as an intelligence analyst and an infrastructure Security Analyst. Dr Mac is currently developing games that test decision-making tradecraft in a team construct.

Recently, Dr McCullin was contracted as a curriculum developer in the areas of Data Analytics in the Evidence-based Framework and Workforce Analysis. He is currently developing a game learning protocol for Data Driven Decision-Making.

Dr. Deanne M. Larson is a distinguished leader in data science and analytics with over 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, international enterprises, and Fintech organizations through her firm, Larson & Associates, LLC. She specializes in AI-driven strategies, machine learning implementation, customer data platforms, and enterprise data architecture. Among her notable achievements are developing fraud detection models that reduced risk by 30%, managing a global personalization platform for a CPG company serving over 225 million consumers, and delivering innovative data governance solutions in cloud and blockchain environments. Her expertise spans predictive analytics, data integration, and agile project delivery in complex, high-stakes environments.

In academia, Dr. Larson serves as Principal Adjunct Faculty at City University of Seattle, where she mentors doctoral students and develops curricula in data and business analytics. She is passionate about bridging academic research with real-world applications, authoring peer-reviewed publications on MLOps, agile analytics, and data science acceleration. With doctorates in Computer Science (AI), International Management, and Management, as well as a master’s in Business Analytics from NYU, Dr. Larson is a frequent speaker at TDWI conferences and a thought leader in data science, analytics education, and digital transformation.

Deborah Deichman is a management and communications specialist who has developed and delivered training programs in the public sector since 1975. To date, she has trained over 20,000 participants in techniques that enhance management and employee productivity as well as increase their contributions to their organizations. She is known for her ability to quickly adapt to the unique needs of each organization and to rapidly establish rapport with her widely diverse participants. As a result, Debby has conducted training in over 300 federal government agencies that include USAID, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, and USDA Research Centers. 

Ms. Deichman’s flexibility has also allowed her to transition easily from face-to-face classroom training to virtual-led and self-paced online training. Debby’s versatility makes her valuable to several curriculum areas in the Graduate School USA, including the Center for Leadership and Management as an instructor for the Aspiring Leader, New Leader, Executive Leader, and Executive Potential Programs, as well as a reviewer for the Executive Potential Program. She has also served as a trainer to foreign service nationals across the world. Additionally, Debby is skilled in instructional design and redesigned the GSUSA flagship course, Introduction to Supervision. Most recently, she designed 5 courses for the new Emerging Leader Certificate.

Ms. Deichman’s educational background includes a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Debby is a two-time recipient of GSUSA’s highest honor, which is the Faculty Excellence Award, which speaks to the value she brings to her own organization as well as to those in which she conducts training. She also received a newly created Customer Feedback Award for 2023 and 2024 and served on the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Board.

Francis J. Connor is a seasoned human resources and management professional with over four decades of experience in federal service and training. Since 2010, he has served as an Adjunct Instructor at Graduate School USA, where he has delivered more than 350 training sessions to federal HR professionals worldwide. His expertise spans civil service rules governing federal employment, with course topics including Federal Staffing/Placement, Pay Settings, and Qualifications Analysis. Francis has also contributed to curriculum development, revising the Pay Settings course and creating the Online Pay Setting courses for both the General Schedule and Federal Wage System.

Before joining GSUSA, Francis held leadership roles in federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the Department of the Navy. As Associate Regional Director for Administration at the National Park Service’s Northeast Regional Office, he oversaw business operations for over 80 park units, including iconic sites like Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg National Military Park. Earlier in his career, he managed human resources operations for engineering facilities within the Department of the Navy, supporting teams of scientists and engineers in staffing, compensation, and labor relations.

Francis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from LaSalle University and a Master of Arts in Management from Central Michigan University. At GSUSA, he teaches topics related to federal human resources, including Federal Staffing and Placement, Pay Setting, and Qualifications Analysis, equipping HR professionals with the knowledge to navigate complex civil service rules effectively.

Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing.

During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices.

Kent D. Miller, Jr., MBA, CDFM-A, is a highly accomplished financial management expert and educator with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. A retired U.S. Army officer, Kent has held leadership roles such as Controller/CFO for the U.S. Army Missile Command and Program Manager/Financial Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Army. His expertise spans budgeting, cost analysis, managerial accounting, and financial systems implementation. Notably, he managed a $9 billion organization, supervised a financial staff of 150, and developed funding requirements and congressional testimony for senior Army leadership. Kent’s career also includes consulting and training, where he has developed over 50 courses and taught more than 20,000 students from federal agencies and contractors.

As an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA since 2005, Kent specializes in financial management training for federal employees. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including appropriations law, budget formulation and execution, and performance-based budgeting. Kent’s teaching is informed by his extensive experience in planning, programming, and budgeting, as well as his work in reengineering processes to achieve cost savings. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) and has been recognized for his leadership in professional organizations such as the Society of Defense Financial Management and the Association of Government Accountants.

Dr. Le'Angela Ingram is a globally recognized leadership advisor, change management expert, and executive coach with over 20 years of experience transforming organizations and individuals across the public, private, and academic sectors. As the founder of Ingram Consulting Group International, she has consulted with more than 200 federal agencies and numerous global institutions, delivering high-impact strategies in organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and emotional intelligence. Her work has spanned three continents, where she has designed and facilitated seminars, workshops, and conferences that drive measurable improvements in employee engagement, cultural competence, workflow efficiency, and cost reduction.

Dr. Ingram’s academic credentials include a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Howard University. She has also completed fellowships in Change Management and Women, Leadership, and Change at Johns Hopkins. Certified in Transition Management, Emotional Intelligence, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Dr. Ingram is a sought-after speaker and trainer, known for her ability to foster inclusive leadership and guide organizations through complex transitions. Her clients include the U.S. Department of State, USAID, NASA, Johns Hopkins University, and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Mark E. Gebicke is an accomplished consultant and instructor with over 50 years of experience in auditing, leadership, and federal program evaluation. A retired Senior Executive from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Mark spent two decades in GAO's Senior Executive Service, where he led performance reviews and provided congressional testimony on critical issues for agencies such as NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. His expertise spans personnel, readiness, logistics, budget, operations, anti-terrorism, and weapon systems, as well as performance reviews for agencies like the Federal Reserve, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Energy.

In addition to his auditing and consulting work, Mark has been a dedicated instructor at Graduate School USA since 2008. He draws on his extensive experience to teach courses on auditing techniques, leadership, and project management. During his tenure at GAO, he also developed and implemented the agency's Professional Development Program, managing over 200 new staff annually and mentoring Senior Executive Service candidates. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from High Point University and a Master of Science in Governmental Administration from George Washington University, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to both GAO and Graduate School USA.

Michele Proctor, CMP, is a seasoned business strategist and human resources expert with over 25 years of experience in HR management, organizational development, and leadership training. Her career spans diverse industries, including the public, private, federal government, and higher education sectors. Michele specializes in creating synergistic work environments where employees can thrive by leveraging their strengths and finding passion in their work. Her expertise in organizational assessment, performance management, and workforce development has led to significant performance improvements, including a 70% increase in efficiency within business units and operations.

Michele has held senior executive roles at organizations such as the Air Line Pilots Association, Howard University, and Executive Transitions International, Inc. She is the founder and president of RENQUEST & ASSOCIATES, INC., a consulting firm specializing in organizational effectiveness, business development, and career planning. Michele has also served as an adjunct instructor at George Washington University, Anne Arundel Community College, and Graduate School USA. She holds a BBA in Personnel Management from George Washington University and is certified in the DiSC profile, mediation, and career management. Michele is an active member of professional organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Management and the International Society for Performance Improvement.

Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA.

Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Richard Rodieck is a seasoned human resources professional and instructor with over 50 years of experience in federal HR management, specializing in position classification, staffing, and organizational development. A retired federal employee, Richard has held leadership roles in agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, USDA, and the Department of Justice, where he managed classification programs, developed HR policies, and supervised large teams of HR specialists. Notably, he served as Chief of the Corporate Classification Team for the U.S. Forest Service, where he reviewed and certified over 2,600 Standard Position Descriptions (SPDs) and resolved complex classification issues. Richard’s expertise extends to developing training programs, authoring HR handbooks, and providing technical guidance to senior leadership.

Since 1998, Richard has been an instructor at Graduate School USA, where he has authored and revised numerous HR textbooks and self-paced courses. His teaching portfolio includes a wide range of federal HR topics, with a focus on classification principles and practices. Richard’s dedication to excellence has earned him multiple Faculty Excellence Awards from Graduate School USA, including recognition as HRM Instructor of the Year. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Richard also holds advanced coursework in public administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals.

Willie Morris is a seasoned Project and Program Management professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in both Traditional and Agile delivery methodologies. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Willie has served as a Registered Educational Provider (R.E.P.) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and an Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P.) with Rita Mulcahy (RMC) Learning Solutions, where he taught PMP® Exam Prep Certification Courses. His extensive career includes leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, Delta Air Lines, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), where he excelled in project and portfolio management.

A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Willie served as an Air Mission Planner, Project Manager, and Program Manager, focusing on South American and Caribbean Joint Special Operations. He also worked as a formal courseware developer, instructor, and flight examiner for the Air Education and Training Command. After retiring from the Air Force, Willie transitioned to roles in asset management and project management within the Department of Homeland Security and later in the private sector. His passion for education led him to teach aspiring project managers at Kennesaw State University and Graduate School USA, where he continues to share his expertise. Willie holds advanced degrees in Aeronautical Science and Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with multiple certifications in project management and aviation safety.